Baseball World Honors Pete Rose: “Nobody Played Harder”

By Stephen J. Nesbitt and C. Trent Rosecrans

Thirty-eight years ago, Pete Rose called a Triple-A shortstop named Barry Larkin — a native of Cincinnati like him — to call him up to the big leagues. Larkin hurriedly made his way home, but his flight from Denver was diverted once, then twice, then three times. The Reds’ rookie arrived at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati half an hour before first pitch. Rose, player manager at the time, noticed that Larkin had no pockets.

“What size shoes do you wear?” Rose asked.

Larkin glanced at Rose’s stash of shoes: “Whatever size they are.”

That’s why, in the first at-bat of his Hall of Fame career, Larkin wore Rose’s spikes and swung Rose’s bat while driving in a run. The shoes were a little tight, but Larkin tried to hold on to them.

“Afterwards I wanted to take them home,” Larkin remembers, “but he asked for them back.”

Larkin told that story at his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2012. Then-MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who upheld the decision to ban Rose from baseball for life, was sitting nearby. Larkin told the story again in a call late Monday night to bring back a smile after hearing the news that Rose had died at age 83. They had seen each other in Cooperstown in July and again in Cleveland a few weeks later. Rose was in great spirits.

“I’m shocked,” Larkin said. “I don’t know what to say.”

He called Rose an “inspiration” and “a big part of my baseball life.”

“He was the guy who gave me the first chance,” Larkin said. “He was my mentor, my coach, my manager. He was involved on the field and off the field.”

Similar tributes poured in from across the sport as former players, executives and officials remembered Major League Baseball’s hit king.

Major League Baseball extends its deepest condolences to Pete Rose’s family, his friends throughout the game, and the fans in his hometown of Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Montreal and beyond who admired his greatness, courage and determination on the field. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/GAP4NHBAOF

– MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2024

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Pete’s passing,” Reds owner Bob Castellini said in a statement. “He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen and every team he played for was better because of him. Pete was a Red through and through. Nobody loved the game more than Pete and nobody loved Pete more than Reds Country. We must never forget what he achieved.

In addition to his record 4,256 hits, Rose was a 17-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, twice with Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine and another with the Philadelphia Phillies. Rose won the 1973 NL MVP, three batting titles, two Gold Gloves, a Rookie of the Year award and a World Series MVP. His No. 14 was retired by the Reds in 2016, the same year Rose was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The Phillies said in a statement: “The Phillies are saddened to learn of the passing of Pete Rose. He will always be remembered for his courage and dedication and for playing a critical role in bringing the team its first World Series title.”

Nolan Ryan’s son Reid shared: “He could make my dad laugh by telling stories and reliving the good old days. Pete’s fight with my dad was must-see television. Nobody played harder than Pete.” Rose batted .273 in 84 career plate appearances against Nolan Ryan, despite having a .417 on-base percentage by walking almost as often (13) as he hit (17). Rose told his side of this fight in the 2022 documentary “Facing Nolan.” My life is better knowing Pete Rose,” wrote Reid Ryan.

Alex Rodriguez, who worked with Rose at Fox, wrote on … He was a true original and one of one. No one loved baseball more than Pete and I will miss him terribly.”

“Pete Rose’s 24-year playing career left an indelible mark on baseball history,” the MLBPA said in a statement. “With his 4,256 career hits and 17 All-Star appearances at an unprecedented five positions, Rose was a crucial cog on the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s. A National League MVP and Rookie of the Year award added to his legacy. The Players Association extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends and many fans, especially those in his beloved hometown of Cincinnati.”

The Baseball Hall of Fame, from which Rose was expelled for gambling on his team, also released a statement: “The Hall of Fame remembers Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hits and games leader, who passed away on Monday . “Charlie Hustle won three batting titles, earned 17 All-Star Game selections and won three World Series championships.”

Rose’s death has led many to speculate whether Rose will be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously. One could argue that a lifetime ban ends in death. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he believes it should be the Hall of Fame’s decision whether to induct Rose.

Reached by phone Monday night, former commissioner Fay Vincent, who was deputy commissioner when Bart Giamatti banned Rose, said she expects Rose will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Gambling “is now legal where it used to be illegal in this country, and I think that makes a big difference,” Vincent said. “Do I think he belongs in the Hall of Fame? I don’t think anyone who participates in the corruption of the game like he did belongs in the Hall of Fame. I think honors should have a moral dimension.”

Wade Boggs, a Hall of Fame third baseman and member of the 3,000-hit club, wrote on X that he grew up wanting to be Rose. Boggs referred to Rose as an “idol” and “friend.”

“Words cannot describe how I’m feeling right now,” Boggs wrote, adding, “You will be missed dearly my friend.”

Rose spent the last day of his life at an autograph signing in Nashville, Tennessee, with former Big Red Machine teammates Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Ken Griffey Sr. and Tony Perez. David Glaskin, who chaired the event, told Newsweek, “I will remember him as one of the greatest baseball players of all time and one of the nicest guys I ever had the pleasure of meeting.” And I’m so glad he was his teammates could see one last time.”

(Photo of Pete Rose before the Phillies game against the Washington Nationals in 2022: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)